Aponogeton madagascariensis
Iconic lace-pattern leaves — like submerged stained glass. Each leaf is a skeleton of cross-veins with no membrane between them. Needs a cool, soft, dim, slightly current-driven tank. The species periodically goes dormant; do not throw out the bulb when leaves die back.
Madagascar Lace Plant (Aponogeton madagascariensis) is a bulb aquatic plant for the midground to background of a planted tank. It reaches 30–60 cm under good conditions and grows at a medium rate. Light: medium. CO₂: recommended. Target 20–26 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, and 2–12 dGH. Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate + root tabs; bulb sits half-buried. Propagate via bulb division or seed.
Care at a glance
Iconic lace-pattern leaves — like submerged stained glass. Each leaf is a skeleton of cross-veins with no membrane between them. Needs a cool, soft, dim, slightly current-driven tank. The species periodically goes dormant; do not throw out the bulb when leaves die back.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to the planted aquarium.
The parameters that decide whether madagascar lace plant fits in your tank.
Aponogetonaceae
Bulb
Midground to background
Nutrient-rich substrate + root tabs; bulb sits half-buried
Bulb division or seed
Madagascar
Madagascar
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
CO₂ requirement: recommended. Light requirement: medium. Under low-tech conditions the plant grows at a medium rate.
Madagascar Lace Plant (Aponogeton madagascariensis) needs medium light. Run a photoperiod of 6–8 hours; longer photoperiods invite algae unless CO₂ and dosing are dialled in.
Position: midground to background. Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate + root tabs; bulb sits half-buried It typically reaches 30–60 cm.
Propagation method: Bulb division or seed. Madagascar Lace Plant is a bulb plant.
Target 20–26 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, and 2–12 dGH. Flow tolerance: low to medium.
Difficulty: 4/5. Advanced, demands dialled-in CO₂/dosing or precise water chemistry.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this plant with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
